A California federal court has ordered Tesla to pay about $137 million in damages to a former black employee who claims he suffered racial abuse while working at a factory in Fremont, according to reports. Watchman.
Owen Diaz, a former elevator operator who worked at the factory between 2015 and 2016, said he encountered “everyday racist nicknames,” and also denounced that employees painted swastikas and racist designs around the workplace.
“It took four long years to get to this point,” Diaz said. New York times. “It’s as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
As noted in the court case, supervisors were unable to stop racial abuse at the factory. “Tesla’s progressive image was a front for its reactionary and degrading treatment of African American employees,” the statement read.
After the conviction, it remains unclear whether Tesla will appeal, as the company has just released a statement trying to downplay the issue.
“While we firmly believe these facts do not justify the verdict the San Francisco jury reached, we recognize that in 2015 and 2016 we weren’t perfect. We haven’t been perfect yet,” said Valerie Capers-Workman, Vice President of Human Resources. in Tesla.
“But we’ve come a long way in five years. We continue to grow and improve in the way we deal with workers’ concerns. Sometimes, we make a mistake, and when that happens we must be held accountable,” he added.
“Wannabe internet buff. Future teen idol. Hardcore zombie guru. Gamer. Avid creator. Entrepreneur. Bacon ninja.”